Corvettes 60th at the Petersen: Historic C1s and a Legendary Grand Sport

Last week, I posted that the C7 prototype will be on hand at the Petersen Automotive Museum to celebrate Corvette’s 60th Aniversary. But while the 2014 Stingray will obviously be the main attraction, it’s going to be flanked by some pretty distinguished company?including the EX122, “the World’s Oldest Corvette.” This is the child of iconic Detroit designer Harley Early car, and it’s the car that made Zora Duntov want to work on the Corvette program. It just might be the most important Corvette ever.

And while the Corvette will always be America’s Sports Car, the 1959 Scaglietti Coupe is sure to garner plenty of attention. The famed Ferrari designer is known for the 250 GT, but his take on the Corvette is another triumph, and will offer visitors a glimpse of what could have been, if the General had wanted its baby to have more of a Continental flair. You can read the whole story of the Italian Corvette here.

Race fans are sure to drool over Grand Sport 003, one of five produced and huge part of Corvette Racing’s legacy of success on the grid. Collector Larry Bowman was kind enough to agree to have the car present for the festivities, and while we won’t get to hear it roar or see it rip up the track, its aggressive, all-business lines tell a story that few Corvettes can match.